Dear Ancestors,

I'm truly not neglecting you -- you are often on my mind as I go through these December days -- but other activities have taken me away from research about you and your lives.  I will redouble my efforts in 2014.  I will not forget you!

I suppose you know that Christmas is nearly upon us.  We probably celebrate it differently now than some of you did in decades and centuries past.  It is the most festive holiday of the year and one that seems to extend through all of December.  We decorate our homes, send Christmas cards, bake, shop, and give gifts we have made and/or bought.  If your celebrations were simpler you may not understand the time it takes to prepare for Christmas in 2013.  (And about this thing called time:  it seems to be going faster as I grow older.  I don't understand how that happens but I know it must be true because it takes me longer to do nearly everything and I get less and less done with each passing day.)

Most of my time this month has been devoted to working at a candy store to help a friend during her busiest time to the year.  I enjoy it but feel very tired at the end of the day.  Tired or not, the day's not over after work because I'm still trying to finish making a few Christmas gifts for some of your descendants.  (I can't tell you what they are or it might spoil the surprise.  We always try to keep gifts a secret until the recipients open them.)  I think they will be finished in another few evenings -- just in time for Christmas. 

I've also been working on a quilt for your newest-descendant-to-be (a girl!) who will arrive any time between now and the first week of January.  My younger daughter watched as I hand quilted then asked if I expected to have the quilt finished by the time the baby arrives.  I told her I didn't think so but it's large enough that it will keep our baby girl warm for a few years.

It's time for bed and I need my rest to be fresh for work tomorrow morning.  I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you and hoping you're having a happy time in these weeks before Christmas.

Take good care of yourselves and each other.

love,
Nancy.

P.S.  I'd mail the postcard but I don't believe it would reach you.  I hope you can see it wherever you are.